The odd thing was that there seemed to be no
children and no oldpeople. So she standsuntil the first ray of the rising sun
strikes upon her.
But that would not save the Lady Sabeela,
Hans.
Hangme if I dont think you have got hold of the
right end of the stickthis time. I thanked her and inquired whether the lake had
risen much. But presently he turned and pointed to us and thenbegan to beckon. Do
you think that she will be brought at all, Dramana? Yes, Lord, a Feast of Blood, and
I pray that it may not be of yourblood also.
I think there will be a flood after this, Baas,
remarked Hans. What he said I do not know, for my ears were still buzzing and of it
Icould hear nothing.
Itwas the scene at the feast repeated but with a
difference. Yes, Hans, so I believe, and very quickly. These and other like things
said the shouts.
Near the top of this slab of rock,or water door,
was drilled a hole.
Thank you, I said, never mind the details. Dacha
looked towards us, hesitating, and I saw that it was time toact. What he said I do
not know, for my ears were still buzzing and of it Icould hear nothing.
But presently he turned and pointed to us and
thenbegan to beckon.
The priests go also and leave the
bridealone.
This I did for her own sake, a factthat I did not
explain. The fact remains that on theisland there were no young and no
aged.
This was now empty, although in it lights still
burned.
Lord, I have told you so already, and I will only
add this.
I know it all, Lord, for I have been that
bride.
The lake might come over the crest of the wall, I
suggested. It was only afterwards that Ireflected upon this strange circumstance. I
see now, said Good, and I suppose they wound the thing up with
awindlass.
Only to me thosecountenances had grown very
cruel.
I asked, thinking that perhaps it would be of
apainful nature.
Only I thought the Baas asked me howwe could loose
that stone arm. These and other like things said the shouts.
Then she stared towards Hans and myself, waving her
arms, and Ithought was about to address us. May I shoot that priest, Baas, or will
you? The odd thing was that there seemed to be no children and no oldpeople. This
was now empty, although in it lights still burned. The god is about to take her into
his keeping, she repliedenigmatically. Then find out, for I want to learn if your
conclusions agree with myown, I answered.
In short, the Tree of Illusions was a monopolyof
the priests.